Kerry Hits Back at GOP 'Insults'

[docdru]

Kerry Hits Back at GOP 'Insults'

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 3, 2004

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-CVN-Democrats.html

Filed at 5:53 a.m. ET

NEWARK, Ohio (AP) -- In a scathing attack, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry accused Republicans of hiding President Bush's ``record of failure'' behind insults and promised a new direction for the country under a Kerry-Edwards administration.

Kerry, speaking to a midnight rally as Bush closed the GOP convention in New York with his acceptance speech, said the president was ``unfit to lead this nation'' because of the war in Iraq and his record on jobs, health care and energy prices.

He lashed out at the commander in chief and Vice President Dick Cheney for not serving in Vietnam during the war and for comments made during the convention about Kerry's fitness to occupy the Oval Office.

``I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and who misled America into Iraq,'' he told a crowd of thousands in Springfield.

Cheney and Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga., led a chorus of Republicans who challenged Kerry's credentials to be commander in chief, arguing that although they respected his decorated Vietnam War service, Kerry's 20-year voting record in the Senate on national security issues made him unfit for the nation's top job.

Kerry faulted the president and Republicans for not talking about ``real issues'' -- creating jobs, improving the economy, expanding access to health care and reducing gasoline prices.

``They did everything except talk about that'' at the four-day convention, Kerry said. ``We've had insults, we've had anger from Republicans. And I'll tell you why,'' Kerry said. ``Because they can't come to you and talk to you about having created jobs since they've lost them. They can't come to you and talk to you about creating health care since 5 million Americans have lost it.

``Their own labor secretary talks about exporting jobs overseas,'' he said. ``They can't talk about their record because it is a record of failure. And so all they do is attack.''

After ceding much of the campaign spotlight to the Republicans and their convention this week, Kerry plunged back into retail politicking with a bus tour of Ohio, beginning in Dayton. It will take him east through Springfield, Newark, Akron and Steubenville by Saturday.

On Friday, he holds a ``front porch'' discussion and campaign rally in Newark.

Bush won Ohio by 3 percentage points in 2000 and the state is one of more than a dozen the two campaigns are fighting over. Kerry's trip to the Buckeye State is his 14th this year, while Bush has made nearly two dozen visits.

Besides Kerry, running mate, Sen. John Edwards, and spouses Teresa Heinz Kerry and Elizabeth Edwards will campaign Friday, also by bus, in the battlegrounds states of Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan, respectively.

Kerry's campaign will go on the air in Ohio on Friday as part of a $50 million, two-month ad blitz, before expanding its ads to Florida, Iowa, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Wisconsin next week. Ads in 13 other states will come later in the fall.

Bush also is readying new post-convention ads, to begin airing Tuesday and laying out the elements of the second-term agenda he outlined in his speech.

Kerry said the GOP convention was tinged by ``anger'' and ``distortion.''

``For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as commander in chief,'' Kerry said. ``I'm going to leave it up to the voters to decide whether five deferments makes someone more qualified than two tours of duty.''

Bush served stateside in the Texas Air National Guard during Vietnam. Cheney, a former secretary of defense, received five deferments and did not serve in the military.

Edwards, introducing Kerry, said voters deserve a president who will fight for them.

Of Kerry, he said: ``He is a fighter and you're about to see it.''

[Kilmer17]

At 1215 on the east coast, this speech of lies and falsehoods was heard by nobody except those of us who have already cast our votes.

I think the Dems will rue the day that they broke tradition and campaigned during the oppositions convention. You can bet your bottom dollar that in 4 years the GOP will have huge rallys during primetime of the Dem convention.

The irony of it all is that Kerry complained that the Pres didnt talk about "real issues" when he clearly did. And Kerry spent his entire convention talking about a war fought 30 years ago.

[NavyDave]

Comes off as weak and conveniently ignores Bill Clintons action and his loathe the military letter

[aREDSKIN]

YAWN

[Posse81]

Navy-

Thats just ridiculous. Why would he mention Clinton in terms of military service? There is no reason why he would have to do that.

Kilmer-

You're right, no one saw that speech except for people who already know how they are going to vote. BUT, I thought for the first time Kerry fought back. One reason Democrats like Howard Dean is he took off the gloves from day one. Kerry has too closely mirrored Gore thus far, and as a result comes off as wishy washy and too polished. Also, last night I thought Kerry's message was condenced. Perhaps due to Joe Lockhart's presence. All in all, I thought Kerry did well for himself. He has a point, he just has to articulate it better.

[Kilmer17]

Yes, DEMOCRATS liked Howard Dean.

Swing voters, however, hated him.

Kerry had no message again last night except to say Bush is ______ (bad, wrong, lying, etc).

Kerry cannot win this election until he stops playing defense and starts offering a clear alternative vision of where to lead the country

But continuing to complain that the GOP is questioning his patriotism (when they actually went out of their way to do the opposit) doesnt sway undecideds.

[Posse81]

Originally posted by Kilmer17

Yes, DEMOCRATS liked Howard Dean.

Swing voters, however, hated him.

Kerry had no message again last night except to say Bush is ______ (bad, wrong, lying, etc).

Kerry cannot win this election until he stops playing defense and starts offering a clear alternative vision of where to lead the country

But continuing to complain that the GOP is questioning his patriotism (when they actually went out of their way to do the opposit) doesnt sway undecideds.

I completely agree with you. I viewed it as a step in the right direction and perhaps a change of mindset in the campaign. Bush said it best himself last night, "You may not agree with me, but at least you know where I stand." That is where his campaign is succeeding, and that is why he will probably win. Kerry sticking up for himself is needed in the short term, but he needs to change the message in the coming days.

I disagree that the GOP went out of their way to question Kerry's patriotism--Zell Miller's speech proved that. They may not have used the word itself, but the underlying message was clear.

And I felt that Kerry did have a message last night. He stated plainly that Bush promised to create jobs in Ohio and have obviously failed to deliver.

As a side note if I was Joe Lockhart, I would repeat Bush's "We cannot win the war on terror" line all day, every day.

[Art]

Unfortunately for liberals, this kind of things smacks of desperation by Kerry. To have impromptu speeches like this on the night of the close of the Republican Convention not only breaks with tradition -- note, please, Bush stayed out of the way for Kerry's turn -- but, also shows an uncommon lack of judgement.

The news belongs to the Republicans today. Kerry's speech was too late to actually make most newspapers and too inconsequential to get in the way of the President given he had the bully pulpit and national reach last night. Further, throwing something like this together when you know NO ONE will hear it, just seems like he got so tweaked by the RNC he had to explode. He couldn't wait until he had the news cycle. He had to speak.

That shows a candidate who's being controlled by the other side. If Bush gets a bounce, he might be hard to catch.

[docdru]

Originally posted by Art

Unfortunately for liberals, this kind of things smacks of desperation by Kerry. To have impromptu speeches like this on the night of the close of the Republican Convention not only breaks with tradition -- note, please, Bush stayed out of the way for Kerry's turn -- but, also shows an uncommon lack of judgement.

The news belongs to the Republicans today. Kerry's speech was too late to actually make most newspapers and too inconsequential to get in the way of the President given he had the bully pulpit and national reach last night. Further, throwing something like this together when you know NO ONE will hear it, just seems like he got so tweaked by the RNC he had to explode. He couldn't wait until he had the news cycle. He had to speak.

That shows a candidate who's being controlled by the other side. If Bush gets a bounce, he might be hard to catch.

Aw, you're only saying that because Bush in incapable of impromptu speech.

[Kilmer17]

And once again the left is resigned to lame attempts to belittle the Presidents public speaking abilities.

[Art]

Originally posted by docdru

Aw, you're only saying that because Bush in incapable of impromptu speech.

Well, Bush isn't great at off the cuff remarks, that's true. But, like Kerry, if so compelled, he could have prepared a speech, released it to the media and scheduled a hasty campaign rally. He just hasn't had to do that.

I'm saying what I've said because it shows a lack of judgement on Kerry's part. By doing what he did he gave GREATER impact to the RNC than he should have. He'd have been MUCH more wise to let the cycle spin out on the convention, acting as if it was completely absurd and inconsequential, and then gone on the attack on his own, without reference to what was said about him.

By doing what he did, he sounded like he was saying, "Oh, yeah, I know you are but what am I." That was poorly done on his part. He needs to better play the market and I'm surprised at how unskilled he seems at it.

[Hersh]

What Kerry did last night was strictly for his base. We have been waiting for Kerry to show that he will stand up for himself in some fashion and that's all this was. I was happy to see it, though it should have been a bit shorter. I hope and expect that each week Kerry will lay out concrete proposals while going after Bush's 1st term record. Some will spin it as desperate, some as standing up for himself. It means nothing in the grand scheme of this campaign.

[Posse81]

Originally posted by Art

Unfortunately for liberals, this kind of things smacks of desperation by Kerry. To have impromptu speeches like this on the night of the close of the Republican Convention not only breaks with tradition -- note, please, Bush stayed out of the way for Kerry's turn -- but, also shows an uncommon lack of judgement.

The news belongs to the Republicans today. Kerry's speech was too late to actually make most newspapers and too inconsequential to get in the way of the President given he had the bully pulpit and national reach last night. Further, throwing something like this together when you know NO ONE will hear it, just seems like he got so tweaked by the RNC he had to explode. He couldn't wait until he had the news cycle. He had to speak.

That shows a candidate who's being controlled by the other side. If Bush gets a bounce, he might be hard to catch.

Art-

It was inconsequential, because it didnt make the news cycle. Therefore, he stayed out of Bush's way. The convention had ended and the news cycle was in fact, over.

Kerry HAS TO try a new approach. He needs to be agressive and if it comes off as desperate to some, so be it. Bush SHOULD be hard to catch, he is an incumbent president who is winning two wars. Kerry seems to run like he's protecting a lead. He has to change his approach.

[Thiebear]

Originally posted by Art

Unfortunately for liberals, this kind of things smacks of desperation by Kerry. To have impromptu speeches like this on the night of the close of the Republican Convention not only breaks with tradition -- note, please, Bush stayed out of the way for Kerry's turn -- but, also shows an uncommon lack of judgement.

The news belongs to the Republicans today. Kerry's speech was too late to actually make most newspapers and too inconsequential to get in the way of the President given he had the bully pulpit and national reach last night. Further, throwing something like this together when you know NO ONE will hear it, just seems like he got so tweaked by the RNC he had to explode. He couldn't wait until he had the news cycle. He had to speak.

That shows a candidate who's being controlled by the other side. If Bush gets a bounce, he might be hard to catch.

(there is a reason why there is tradition).

There *was* a reason you give the otherside the week...

Pity comebacks at 1am is just a sad rebuttle...

Sometimes waiting a day or 2 and Answering a larry king question is much better than running out to shout *You too*!

[Skinsfan1966]

I listened to Kerry's rant, it was clearly written before Bush spoke, it missed the point.

Regarding remarks that he is unfit to command, his harshest critic was a democrat.

I have long had concerns about Kerrys fitness for command. I really want to know what was in his departing fitrep from the navy. He was released from the service early but honorably, but his last commanding officer while he was in has said he thought Kerry was unfit for command. I would like to see what his last fitrep (fitness report) says. One of the documents he has selected not to release.

[Destino]

The republicans can say what they want, but Kerry is right. The people who refused to serve their country can shove their opinions about his record.

It isn't desperation it's what should have been said long ago. If you didn't have the balls to go, don't question the actions of those who did.

[Thiebear]

Originally posted by Destino

The republicans can say what they want, but Kerry is right. The people who refused to serve their country can shove their opinions about his record.

It isn't desperation it's what should have been said long ago. If you didn't have the balls to go, don't question the actions of those who did.

Now waive your right hand around vigorously and say NO: look over here.... :cool:

[Kilmer17]

What opinions about his record? They've praised it over and over and over again.

Kerry has nothing but a weak straw man argument.

[Art]

Originally posted by Destino

The republicans can say what they want, but Kerry is right. The people who refused to serve their country can shove their opinions about his record.

It isn't desperation it's what should have been said long ago. If you didn't have the balls to go, don't question the actions of those who did.

This is so incredibly stupid, Destino, I wonder why you'd bother saying the words.

You mean Bill Clinton can't question the record of any politician if that politician ever served in the military? Stunning really. In fact, every American can and should question the voting record of John Kerry. Simply serving in Vietnam shouldn't exclude him from that scrutiny and it's really a remarkable statement of liberal intolerance that would suggest that a Vietnam vet gets a pass from having his record questioned after voting for a two-term President in Clinton who questioned the records of Bush and Dole who both served their country while Clinton didn't.

For you to make a statement like this just shows how incredibly out of touch liberals are.

[Phat Hog]

I can’t imagine why folks from either side if the isle are still throwing up Viet Nam. I could care less about who went and who got out of it. I fault Bush no more than I fault Clinton – can we get on the issues? I know the present danger that is Bush, but I have yet to hear how Kerry would do anything different – outside of turning the war on terror over to the UN and raising taxes.

[OURYEAR#56]

Originally posted by Kilmer17

What opinions about his record? They've praised it over and over and over again.

Kerry has nothing but a weak straw man argument.

They had no choice. Bush was barely a Coast Guard. Kerry could have killed him on the issue of military service. Honestly I find it appauling that a president that didn't see hair nor hide of live combat is willing to send men and women to war. Then he swells up and has some fake crocodile tears to show he cares. Come on dog, are you serious. Kerry needs to fight this guy tooth and nail about the issues that really matter, because I'm not buying Bush's bs. Kerry needs to concentrate on the economy, and the wars in both Iraq, and Afghanistan. He needs to attack Bush's intelligence, because he is not a learned man. It's obvious to me that Bush lacks his own strategy. Kerry needs to attack that. I think then he would win over a lot of the swing voters. He needs to look at himself as the challenger going after the heavyweight belt. Clubber Lang style :hammer:

[Cskin]

The republicans can say what they want, but Kerry is right. The people who refused to serve their country can shove their opinions about his record.

Can the same be said about Clinton, an obvious military hater who he himself skirted military service?

Come on, no one is downing Kerry's service in Vietnam. Almost all Repubs. have acknowledged his service. The only ones who CAN question his service are the ones who fought along side him... and they have!!!!!!!

Furthermore, since when did serving in the military become a prerequsite for being President of the United States. I thought you had to be born in the US and be at least 35 years old?

Thomas Jefferson wasn't in the military? Should he have been excluded from holding office?

Get over it! Kerry had nothing to run on BUT his military service in a war 30 years ago. It's been the cornerstone of his campaign. He chose his military service because it's the only thing that might attract positive opininons of him. His senate record certainly doesn't, which is why he's tried to ignore it.

Place Vietnam in fair play and then deman people not question it? Huh? WTF? The Repubs. haven't questioned his service... his own Coastal Division at the time has... and they have the right to do so.

[Art]

Originally posted by OURYEAR#56

They had no choice. Bush was barely a Coast Guard. Kerry could have killed him on the issue of military service. Honestly I find it appauling that a president that didn't see hair nor hide of live combat is willing to send men and women to war. Then he swells up and has some fake crocodile tears to show he cares. Come on dog, are you serious. Kerry needs to fight this guy tooth and nail about the issues that really matter, because I'm not buying Bush's bs. Kerry needs to concentrate on the economy, and the wars in both Iraq, and Afghanistan. He needs to attack Bush's intelligence, because he is not a learned man. It's obvious to me that Bush lacks his own strategy. Kerry needs to attack that. I think then he would win over a lot of the swing voters. He needs to look at himself as the challenger going after the heavyweight belt. Clubber Lang style :hammer:

You must have been angry as hell during the Clinton years then, right?

[OURYEAR#56]

Originally posted by Art

You must have been angry as hell during the Clinton years then, right?

Honestly I can't say either way. I was in college so world events, who was president, and who got some head wasn't important to me. I graduated in 1998, and things were fine until 2001. I became alot more conscienc of politics then, because I could feel it's impact on my wallet. I'll be happy to see things change, I can guarantee that.

[Posse81]

Originally posted by Cskin

Come on, no one is downing Kerry's service in Vietnam. Almost all Repubs. have acknowledged his service. The only ones who CAN question his service are the ones who fought along side him... and they have!!!!!!!

Come on now, they were handing out fake Purple Hearts on the convention floor this past week, mocking Kerry's acomplishments. Bob Dole himself called Kerry's wounds "superficial". To say that the GOP isn't mocking or making an issue of Kerry's service is laughable.